Obituary of James F. Keegan

James F. Keegan, 86, formerly of the White Horse section of Hamilton Township, died on Sunday, his 86th birthday, in West Palm Beach, FL. Born in Trenton, Jim resided most of his life in Hamilton Township, before moving to Florida nearly two years ago. Jim was a proud member of Hamilton High School Class of 1942. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Jim joined the Hamilton Township Police Force in 1947 and retired in 1988 as Deputy Chief. He was a former member of St. Raphael’s R.C. Church and the Holy Name Society. Jim is a member and former vice-president and president of the Hamilton Township Fraternal Order of Police #20, and a member of the Hamilton Township P.B.A. #66. Among many other citations during his career, he was honored with the “Outstanding Law Officer of the Year” award for 1973-74 by the Hamilton Township Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3525. He was a self taught classical guitar player, and enjoyed fishing, boating, and carpentry work. Jim was proud of prospecting for and collecting precious and semi-precious minerals and gems. He belonged to the Lower Bucks County Rock & Mineral Club. He was the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Lengenfelder Keegan, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Buttitta “Betty” Keegan, and brother of the late Thomas Keegan. He leaves behind to mourn his death, but also to celebrate his life, his 2 daughters; Jean Keegan Daly, and Lori Keegan Beyerle and her husband Bruce, along with 4 sons; J. Michael Keegan and his wife Marianne, Robert Keegan and his wife Cari, Thomas Keegan and his companion Nadia Fedyk, and Charles “Buddy” Keegan and his companion, Barbara Durante, also his 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and his loving companion Mary V. Smith, along with a sister-in-law Dorothy Keegan. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:30 AM from Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM at St. Raphael’s R.C. Church, 3500 S. Broad Street, in Hamilton. Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum in Hamilton. Family and friends may call on Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the funeral home. For those wishing, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691